Updated Travel Alert Regarding Coronavirus, March 22

To: Members of the University Community

From: Ka Yee C. Lee, Provost

Subject: Updated Travel Alert Regarding Coronavirus

Date: March 22, 2020

The U.S. State Department has increased the global health advisory travel warning to Level 4, urging U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. The U.S. Department of State further advises that "in countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. "Please also note that the U.S. State Department has urged travelers to develop a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance."

We strongly recommend that all faculty, staff, students, other academic appointees, and postdoctoral researchers currently traveling internationally consider now whether to return to the U.S. as options for travel may be further curtailed. Especially in light of the new State Department guidance, the University's ability to provide assistance to travelers who wish to return home is limited.

As announced on March 10, the University has suspended all nonessential internal and domestic travel through April 15, and has urged similar caution in planning personal travel at this time.

For questions and concerns, please coronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu.